Why didn't Najib deny the Ambank account number, Mahfuz questions

PAS’s Datuk Mahfuz Omar today questioned why Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did not deny that the Ambank account number as alleged by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) did not belong to him.

Instead, Mahfuz said, it was ‘very strange’ that Najib said even if he had wanted to touch public funds, he would not have done it using a local bank.

Najib was alleged to have received RM2.6 billion of the 1Malaysia Development Funds (1MDB) funds into his personal Ambank account from three companies associated with 1MDB, just before the 13th general election.

“Najib did not deny the allegation based on facts or figures reported. Instead he said he will not rob the people of their money. He had said even if he wants to do so, he would not do it using a local bank,” Mahfuz said.

“The issue here is Najib until now did not deny that the account as exposed by the WSJ with the account number, belonged to him. Najib also did not deny that RM2.6 billion was deposited to his personal Ambank account,” he said adding that the premier also did not deny that three companies had deposited the amount to his account.

Instead of answering the allegation, the Pokok Sena MP said Najib only said that the money was not public funds.

“If these are not public funds, the people are questioning where did it come from since it involved such huge amount,” he asked.

Mahfuz also accused Najib of trying to divert from the issue with illogical matters like the National Feedlot Corp (NFC).

“A total amount of RM250 million which was released for cattle breeding was diverted to condo buying,” he said.

In its article published last Friday, WSJ alleged that 1MDB funds amounting to US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) had been channelled to the premier's personal account, a claim denied by both Najib and 1MDB.

Several parties have since urged the Prime Minister to take legal action against WSJ to clear his name and defend the government’s integrity.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said authorities are currently investigating three companies linked to the WSJ allegations which had also been reported by the Sarawak Report.

Meanwhile, the multi-agency task force probing the issue said six bank accounts related to the investigation have been frozen.

The joint statement signed by Abdul Gani, Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, said the order to freeze the six accounts was issued on July 6.